The U.S. Olympic Hope

Despite the increase in popularity in the sport of Olympic weightlifting, there are still aspects of it that always work “behind the scenes”. The average fan doesn’t really understand why the U.S. may or may not have a spot in the 2012 Olympics in London. Instead of grumbling and talking about how much American weightlifting sucks, let’s review the process that will determine what male weightlifter will represent the U.S. in London.
Note: If I’ve misconstrued or left out anything, just let me know and I’ll amend it.

I had a quick phone call with Glenn Pendlay the other day so that he could explain this to me. Basically we need to first earn a spot, and then whichever lifter has the best total (relative to the world average in their weight class) will be chosen. The timing of how this will occur is what makes it weird.

First the men need to earn a spot to go to the Olympics, and that is done at the Pan American Championships a couple weeks after Nationals. Chances are very good, almost certain, that the men will earn a spot. Pendlay even said, “God would need to strike down four or five of the best lifters in order not to earn it.” He even said that if everyone had a bad day then the spot would still be earned. However, earning a spot is still dependent on performing reasonably well at the Pan Am Championships to lock a spot up.

Olympic hopeful Donny Shankle rests with Jon North between attempts



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